Hi Moms! My ongoing fifth grader is behind in reading .He does not like to read the fiction or non fiction explain what happened in the story.

Question

Hi Moms!  My ongoing fifth grader is behind in reading .Hi Moms! My ongoing fifth grader is behind in reading . He does not like to read the fiction or non fiction explain what happened in the story. He does recieve support and services in school. Should i worry too much that he is not reading chapter/fiction books or accept him the way he is. We are super confused. Should we hire a tutor? He does have attention issues not sure that is the reason he hates reading. Looking opinion from experts . Thank you!  

Answer 1

I had/have a child like this. She didn’t engage in reading until she found what she liked. Have you tried graphic novels? We also found (for us) that here interest level was peaked when she already knew some of the story. For example we watched the movie Wonder, and then got her the book. Obviously there are more details in the book, so it keeps it interesting. But it wasn’t so daunting because there was already some awareness of the story line. The other thing that helped was not sticking to fiction/non fiction books. We branched our into magazines, history books about mystery (real mysteries). We had her read everything. Instructions. Recipes. Road signs. Online articles about cool stuff like ghost hunting. She didn’t even know she was reading. So then when she got more confidence, she was more likely to move to books. Good luck! It’s not easy. Oh. And we also turned on closed captioning on our tv. It helps!  

Comments

Let him read whatever he finds joy in reading- comic books, picture books, recipes. Don’t worry about the level. If he has a younger sibling, have him read to the sibling, or a younger neighbor over Zoom. I was a reading specialist and I had a son who didn’t enjoy reading. The most important thing is to make sure it doesn’t become a battle. Also, if you’re able try to have a family reading time where everyone reads, no screens, no distractions, even if it’s only for 15 minutes. Good luck!  

Answer 2

Has he been tested at all for learning difficulties? My daughter has always hated reading, but only because she struggles with it because of learning disabilities.  

Comments

He has mild asd and adhd.  

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@photosensitive , my daughter is ADHD and dyslexic. Has he been tested specifically for learning disabilities?  

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@photosensitive have any services or therapies been recommended?  

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Nope not that one yet @elzaelzevir51

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No abi runs.  

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No he has not been specifically tested for learning disabilities. could you let me know how to get him tested for learning disabilities @elzaelzevir51

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@photosensitive , I would ask the guidance counselor at the school he attends, they will be able to help you. I literally spent thousands of dollars trying to encourage my daughter to read, and trying to instill a love of books in her. It's never going to happen, sadly!  

Answer 3

Google reading stamina charts. Make it a contest to read in minutes and increase each day. Read together. Model reading behavior. Even 5th graders need this!  

Answer 4

When my child had difficulties reading the special Ed teacher said have him read sports articles in the Newspaper or Sports Illustrated, then tell you about the article, reading is reading. He loved sports, it worked

Answer 5

Maybe email the school librarian and ask for suggestions of books based on his interests. Sometimes when kids find the right series or author it can change their minds about reading.  

Answer 6

Does he read other books?  

Answer 7

The staff at the library and Andersons has always been helpful recommending books for my kids.  

Answer 8

I used to go to Andersons and purchase any book he was interested in reading. It worked!  

Answer 9

Captain underpants

Answer 10

I hated reading as a kid at all levels. I read slow. It didn’t hinder my learning, so I would think just try to find something interesting and not super long or not having to read a lot all at once. As long as there is comprehension I wouldn’t be overly concerned.  

Answer 11

Captain Underpants books were the only books my boys enjoyed in grade school.  

Answer 12

You have a lot of good advice here. It is nice to see that. As a teacher I would look to see if he understands story structure? Beginning-Middle-End Can he tell and/or listen to a story, whether make-believe or just an account of his day and then make connections, predictions and observations when asked questions? If so, then he is fine. My daughters disliked reading (straight A students) math and writing. Presently, one daughter is finishing her dissertation for a Clinical Psychology degree and the other works at WB Studios and writes screenplays as a hobby. They have never read the Harry Potter books. They were excited to hear the story, so when they came out I read them and related the story to them. I was an avid reader as a child. So, in summary, don't force reading, but as others have said, encourage a variety of opportunities and check for storytelling abilities and critical thinking through verbal stories or movies. Thanks for sharing! Good Luck!  

Comments

@eichmann Glazik Are you available for any tutoring ?  

Answer 13

Two things helped my son around that age: The "Choose Your Own Adventure" books were good at capturing his interest. And the Garfield cartoon books. My son had ADHD. And now in his 40s, reads a lot. Even if it's comic books or joke books, whatever captures his interest will help.  

Answer 14

Try talking to him to understand what the problem with reading. Is

Answer 15

I had similar issues as a child/adult and as an adult I am still not a reader. (Reading was so much work that it wasn’t enjoyable) If you haven’t already consider getting him tested for an IEP. The modifications could really make things easier for him. A book or magazine containing many short stories that he is interested in may help or getting him the book and the audio version where he can follow along while the story is being read gave me more success in my learning. In my experience the more I was forced to practice reading the more I disliked it.  

Answer 16

Following for suggestions

Answer 17

A lot of super good advice here. Be sure to reach out to your school for help and for clarification on where he is at. And support. I worked in Special Education as in IEP's and 504's in District 204. Both Naperville school districts are excellent in our Special Education and accommodations, resources and support, My advice is take advantage of all the support you can get. It will only help your son all the way through his school career and make him feel confident in his reading.  

Comments

@yuki472 I'll second you on this, the support is great!  

Answer 18

My son is now 21, but he was like this. He enjoyed, what I call, FACT books, or nature books, which was ok - but we always encouraged him to try chapter books. It took a while, but he tried the dairy of a whimpy kid series, and bingo, not your typical chapter books, but was enough to get him started, after that he got better. Just find what he likes - trial and error!  

Answer 19

Don’t know if this will help- My son had this problem and we took him to opthomology. Turned out he had vision problems and muscle problems- once his eyes were fixed the problem was solved. Also, my son will not retell or summarize either- you may want to share this with his pediatrician- they may recommend some testing for you

Answer 20

My older son didn’t like reading until he was old enough to read the adult genres he enjoyed, like Tom Clancy novels. My younger son never liked reading much. With both boys, we tried to find reading THEY’D like. A collection of “Calvin & Hobbes” was VERY good for both of them.  

Comments

Calvin is my idol!  

Answer 21

Thanks so much people! I feel so better now. I am thinking of subscribing of leaning ally kind of audible. Hope its worth.  

Answer 22

I know one of the best elearners in the area. DM me for additional info. Thanks